Qantas from 3rd of February 2016 is reducing Sydney - Johnesburg from daily to 6 flights a week.

Qantas from 3rd of February 2016 is reducing Sydney - Johnesburg from daily to 6 flights a week. Is this needed for the San Fransisco service to run or could this be to help for another 747 to retire?

http://www.qantas.com.au/agents/dyn/qf/info/201507/0717

I'm not too sure but I think they're retiring the aircraft, considering that SYD-SFO is starting in December it may retire. Unless they want to use it on another route or open another route they will be retiring it

It could just be a case of demand on that route is not sufficient for daily flights

Qf63 was already running 6X weekly for many parts of this year but went mostly unnoticed 

In the statement released by QF, the reduction in JNB was for SFO services.

Think its more for SFO.

There are only two unrefurbed 747s left to retire.  These will be replaced by the remaining three A330-200s due back from Jetstar, less one that goes back to lessor.

So effectively swapping two 747s for two 330s - a reduction in seats, but same frequency -- would expect Japan and Hong Kong services to lose 747s - albeit probably getting a product upgrade with the refurbed 330s

I'd be surprised if QF swaps out the 747 now they have HND. Big difference in business capacity between a 747 and A330. 

Double daily to HKG on A330 works though imo.

Double daily HKG ex SYD on A330. I like where you're going with that.